Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic fracture of dorsolumbar and lumbar vertebra: surgical technique and early outcome

ABSTRACT

Vertebroplasty is an image-guided, minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure used to strengthen fractured spinal vertebrae that has been weakened by osteoporosis. A hollow needle [trocar] is passed into the fractured vertebral body and a cement mixture including polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA], barium powder and a solvent is injected. The cement mixture resembles toothpaste or epoxy. We monitor the entire procedure on a fluoroscopy imaging screen and make sure that the cement mixture does not enter into the spinal canal. Vertebroplasty is highly effective because the cement fills the spaces and strengthens the bone; it is less likely to fracture again. After vertebroplasty, the cement stabilizes the fracture, and also provides pain relief. Patients regain mobility within 24 hours and are usually able to reduce, or even eliminate, their pain medications within a short time. Vertebroplasty can increase the patient's functional abilities, allow a return to the previous level of activity, and prevent further vertebral collapse. The aim of the present work is to study the procedure of percutaneous vertebroplasty in regard to the surgical technique and the early outcome. If it is effective in relieving the pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture of dorsolumbar and lumbar veterbra and also evaluate any complications that may occur during the procedure. The study was conducted on patients admitted to the main Alexandria University Hospital from January 2006 to 2008. We did plain x-ray lumbosacral spine AP and lateral view preoperative and postoperative for all the patients, MRI or CT LSS preoperative and CT LSS postoperative